The sale of the Nick Kurtz 2025 Topps Chrome Update MLB Debut Patch card for $516,000 marks a significant milestone in the sports memorabilia market. Conducted through Fanatics Collect’s January Premier auction, this transaction positions Kurtz’s card as the second most expensive within the exclusive insert set, trailing only behind Paul Skenes, whose card fetched $1.11 million last year.
Kurtz, the reigning American League Rookie of the Year, initially estimated the value of his autograph to be “a couple hundred bucks,” showcasing the dramatic increase in interest and investment in sports cards.
Kurtz’s sale surpassed the previous second-highest price, held by Jackson Holliday, whose card sold for $198,000. Despite the impressive sale, Kurtz still has a considerable gap to bridge in order to catch Skenes, whose record-setting card is currently displayed at a Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Pittsburgh.
Understanding the MLB Debut Patch Card
The MLB Debut Patch was first introduced in 2023, allowing players to wear the patch on their jerseys during their first major league game. Once the game concludes, the patch is removed, authenticated, and transformed into a unique card, which is then signed by the player. The latest collection of these cards can be found in the 2025 Topps Chrome Update series.
The recent sale of Kurtz’s card eclipsed his previous top sale, which occurred just weeks prior when a different card—a 2025 Topps Chrome Superfractor one-of-one autographed card—sold for $86,620 via Goldin. This upward trajectory highlights the growing demand for rookie cards and their potential to become valuable collector’s items.
Other notable sales from the same auction included MLB Debut Patch cards for Marcelo Mayer of the Boston Red Sox and Luisangel Acuña, who recently transitioned from the New York Mets to the Chicago White Sox. Mayer’s card sold for $54,000, while Acuña’s fetched $30,000.
Top Sales in the MLB Debut Patch Series
The remarkable sales figures for MLB Debut Patch cards reflect a burgeoning market for rare sports memorabilia. According to data from Card Ladder, which tracks online card sales, the top ten public sales for this specific card type demonstrate the increasing enthusiasm among collectors.
As the sports card industry continues to evolve, the record-setting sale of Kurtz’s card serves as a testament to the intersection of sports and investment, where collectors see potential financial returns alongside their passion for the game. The excitement surrounding these transactions highlights a vibrant community that values both the nostalgia and the financial prospects of sports memorabilia.
